Now I Need You - Donna Summer

**discofrank** · December 29th, 2003, 02:53 PM

I have just finished reading Donna Summer's Book "the journey" .. I was disappointed when she makes no mention of several awesome tracks she had through her career (especially the 70s).. :evil: I ALWAYS played act 2 (especially the first cut) of the Once upon a time album at FULL VOLUME. THere something so magical and unearthly about that track from the lyrics to the music.

Does anyone now if that track was ever released as an extended single? I especially love the ending of the track where the notes just softly echo out and the melody of the tune just soars and then.. and then... The great mystery, it seems as if this song goes somewhere (and its not "working the midnight shift") .. IT seems to unfold but then the track ends too soon. It kills me! Am I the only one who feels this way?? Now I Need you should have been a 18 minute plus track of soaring syths and melodies unedited. :roll:

**BrunoRepublic** · December 29th, 2003, 03:14 PM

Sadly, there is no remix or extended version of this song. Actually, this is true of most of "Once Upon A Time...", and the ones that are extended haven't been by much. "I Love You" should've been a 7-minute stormer...

**BrunoRepublic** · December 29th, 2003, 03:19 PM

Originally Written by discofrank

I ALWAYS played act 2 (especially the first cut) of the Once upon a time album at FULL VOLUME. THere something so magical and unearthly about that track from the lyrics to the music.

Just to add to what I said originally... it's true that there isn't a lot of lyrical depth in most disco songs, but this album is one very noteworthy exception. The bleak, mechanical electronic soundscape that is most of Act II is a perfect match for the lyrics about loneliness, despair, working at soul-destroying jobs, and insecurity.

There are many, many disco concept albums, but this is one of the few with a storyline that really works. The sum is greater than the parts.

**NickNack** · December 29th, 2003, 03:25 PM

Hi discofrank,

Casablanca had a promotional two-12" promotional package titled "Selected Cuts from Once Upon a Time". Before you get excited, sadly, four of the seven cuts were edited down, not extended. Just telling you in case you find it online and spend your money thinking it might be what you're looking for. Here's the playlist:

SIDE 1:
1. Queen For A Day 5:26
2. Fairy Tale High 3:59
3. Now I Need You 4:02 :(
4. Working The Midnight Shift 4:19
I can only guess that these edits were done to facilitate the 'continuous flow' mix they were trying to accomplish. They didn't succeed. The songs are smacked (hard!) one after the other. :x

SIDE 2:
1. Rumour Has It 4:55
2. I Love You 4:43
3. Happily Ever After 3:51
This is just like Act 4 on the lp minus the last track.

**BrunoRepublic** · December 29th, 2003, 03:33 PM

Weeeeeeeak!! I thought there was at least one extended track from that LP... oh well, thanks for the info!

**Robbie** · December 29th, 2003, 05:30 PM

"Once Upon A Time" is one of Donna Summer's best albums. Each side has its own style and sensibility. The quirky fun of Act I, the mechanized uncertainty of Act II, the ambiguity of Act III, and the happy ending of Act IV. I think Act III was a most interesting side. The raw, low-down "If You Got It, Flaunt It"; the sweet and lilting "A Man Like You"; the classical-tinged "Sweet Romance"; the Latin-flavored "Dance Into My Life" with the vocoder/voice box was very unique and fit in excellently with each song's identity, even in its lyrical sense.

I agree that the songs on this album should have been extended, especially on Act IV. "Now I Need You" should have been at least 14-15 minutes long. I can just picture a double 12" promo set of some of the selected cuts. Here's my fantasy 12":

Album One:

Side A

1) Now I Need You (15:36)

Side B

1) Working The Midnight Shift (7:53)

Album Two:

Side A

1) Rumour Has It (7:00)

Side B

1) I Love You (7:22)

**Art Figueroa** · December 29th, 2003, 06:55 PM

Originally Written by Robbie

Side A

1) Rumour Has It (7:00)

Side B

1) I Love You (7:22)

2) Happily Ever After (7:46) 8)

Art

**Bernie** · December 29th, 2003, 07:52 PM

I have a Casablanca promo 12" with...
1. Rumor Has It (3:50)
2. I Love You (3:17)

"Rumor Has It" simply fades out and does not segue into "I Love You" as on the album.

When I get a chance I'll add this to the Disco Records Vault A-Z/

**discofrank** · December 31st, 2003, 12:31 AM

ROBBIE WROTE:

Album One:

Side A

1) Now I Need You (15:36)

Side B

1) Working The Midnight Shift (7:53)

This is Exactly what I'm talking about!!

I feel Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte never completed "Now I Need You".. The version that appears on ACT 2 is simply incomplete.

I would love to forward this topic to them! Maybe they can surprise us with an unreleased extended version :P

On a another note.. Donna Summer's "BAD GIRLS" was re-released on CD.. But, the only extra track was a lousy demo version of the title track! WHAT HAPPENED TO "LUCKY"??? Why wasn't this track ever extended as well?? This is another track that is "incomplete."

**Sami M** · December 31st, 2003, 01:07 AM

Well, there are numerous examples of tracks that would be better in extended form. Keeping the Summer subject here, Sunset people and Our love could have been extended aswell, don't you think? I saw a 12" (british?) in GEMM but both tracks clock the same as on lp.

As a hobby one can extend the track by oneself. Using two copies or with a tapedeck, computer or md any track can be quite easily extended one or two minutes, even more. How interesting this version can be, depends on how long or how much the song has instrumental passages on it. If it's mostly singing there's a limit how much repeated vocals one wants to hear time and time again. Depending the effects you want, you can use beats and pieces of other songs etc. Give it a try and get ready for suprise 8)

**Robbie** · December 31st, 2003, 05:01 PM

Originally Written by discofrank

WHAT HAPPENED TO "LUCKY"??? Why wasn't this track ever extended as well?? This is another track that is "incomplete."

"Lucky" is another track that should've been extended and I absolutely agree with you; Side Four of BAD GIRLS was, in my opinion, eclectic. Donna's vocals go from a soft/hard see-saw on "Our Love", to high and somewhat out-of-left-field on "Lucky", and continuing on "Sunset People". OK, here's another fantasy 12":

Side A

1) Lucky (9:17)

Side B

1) single-sided record (blank)

**HustleBaby** · January 3rd, 2004, 01:14 AM

I guess I didn't give it any thought (until now) as to why Once Upon A Time didn't have extended mixes like its predecessors Love Trilogy and Love To Love You Baby. IMO, "I Need You" is TOOOO short, it would be a heart-pounding deeeeelight to have a 15 minute version of this hit :D :P :D !!!!!!!!!!1

*DEELIGHTFUL*